Australian Navy rescues rower as Pacific crossing hit by cyclone

In this photo provided by the Australian Defence Force, Australian Navy sailors from HMAS Choules use an inflatable boat to rescue Lithuanian rower Aurimas Mockus (CPOIS Helen Frank/Australian Defence Force/AP)

An Australian warship has rescued a Lithuanian solo rower who encountered a tropical cyclone while attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean from California.

Aurimas Mockus was taken aboard Royal Australian Navy landing ship HMAS Choules on Monday, where he was undergoing a medical assessment, vice admiral Justin Jones said in a statement.